Photography

Behind the fluff: What it's like inside the world's most famous dog show

A range of people and dog breeds — including seven new ones — came together at the 140th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show this weekend. The competition was stiff.

The two-day show in New York City featured contests from agility to cosmetic judging. The most prestigious award, Best in Show, will be announced on Tuesday night; last year, a beagle named Miss P defied the odds to win the title.

While the judges see lots of fluff, frills and glamour, a fair amount of preparation (and weirdness) takes place behind the curtain, for both pooches and trainers. Just take a look below.

Behind the scenes of the Westminister Dog Show

A Dogue de Bordeaux rests in the competition area.

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

A Saint Bernard gets a kiss from their owner while being groomed back stage of the show.

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

A Pug takes a nap in their owners lap while waiting for the first day of competition.

Image: Matthew Eisman/Getty Images

A Cocker Spaniel gets groomed in the benching area.

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

A English Springer Spaniel waits gets brushed backstage of the show.

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

A handler rests with her dog in the benching area.

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

A West Highland white terrier gets powdered before the show.

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

A Bichon Frise getting a quick trimming in the benching area before the show.

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

A Yorkshire terrier lays on a grooming table before being prepped for the show.

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Image: Matthew Eisman/Getty Images

A dalmatian waits in the grooming area.

Image: Matthew Eisman/Getty Images

Before running the agility course during the 3rd Annual Masters Agility Championship.

A maltese gets groomed in the competition area.

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

A shih tzu gets groomed in the benching area before the show.

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

A Bichon Frise in the judging area.

A woman with her Yorkshire terrier.

Image: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Handlers groom their Yorkshire terriers in the benching area.

It's a waiting game, dude.

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Image: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Eva, a 5-year-old Russian Tsvetnaya bolonka, in the "Meet the Breed" portion of the show.

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